bland



P. E. BLAND. BRIGK MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 1, 1867.

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PETER E. BLAND. on ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI Letters Patent No. 69,308, datedOctober 1, 1867;

IMPROVED BRICK MACHINE.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, PETER E. BLAND, of the. city and county of St.Louis, invented a new and improved Rotary Brick Machine; and I do herebydeclare t exact description thereof, reference bein cation, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure '2, a central vertical section thereof in the line as x g, fig.3;. and

Figure 3 a detached view of the mould-bearing cylinder in elevation,with itsjournals, 860.

Similar letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in the novel combination and arranimproved brick machine, wherein the tempered clay is first deliveredfrommoulds placed longitudinally in a horizontal cylinder revolvingbeneath it with an intermittent movement, and is thereafter compressedin these moulds by horizontal plungers,'opcrated by means of eccentricsupon the driving-shaft, and finally delivered from said moulds upon carsmoving beneath-the cylinder, by the move ment of followers forced outradially from within said cylinder, by means of cams upon a fixed shaft,passing through the axis of said cylinder, the followers beingreadjusted by pins or pistons, having a horizontal reciprocatingmovement, obtained by suitable connecting levers from an eccentric uponthe driving-shaft, so as to act in unison with the compressingplunger-s. The car. upon which the bricks are delivered from the mouldsis thrust forward automatically by the machine after each deliveryofbricks, a distance slightly greater than their width, by means ofpivoted levers, engaging at one end with teeth on the heads of thecylinder, and provided at the other with dogs or pawls, falling andplaying. upon ratchet-bars on the cars. These cars are connected bymeans of catches or hooks, which are disconnected so soon as the carsare loaded, by means of inclined ways upon the framework between whichthey pass, which engage pins upon the catches, and gradually lift themas the car is forced forward, while being loaded, leaving the loaded carnext in advance free to run forward by its own gravity down an inclinefrom the machine. The moulds are lubricated after the deliv cry of thebricks therefrom in each revolution of the cylinder, by means ofsuitable packing placed around the readjusting pins or pistons, thepacking material being kept moistened from liquid in a. vat in the rearthereof. The fixed cam-shaft and the cylinder receive verticaladjustment by means of a vertical plate, carrying the bearings for oneend of the shaft, and supported by means of a pin in a curved slot insaid plate. The mould frames fixed in the cylinder may be removedtherefrom, to be replaced when worn or broken, in the cylinder or itsadjustment.

and State of Missouri, have he following tobe a full and g had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specifiin section.

gement of the several parts of my any suitable form of pug-mill intowithout change To'enablc others skilled in the art to make and use myimproved machine, I will proceed to describe its construction andoperation. 1

AA A A. is the frameworx, receiving and supporting the operative partsof the machine. tudinal beams A A support the bearings of'a revolvingmouldbearing cylinder,

Upon the top of the framework is placed a pug-mill, C, of any efl'ectivedescription. This pug-mill is provided with a. longitudinal dischargingaperture in its bottom, equal in length to the mould-bearing cylinder B,and is so supported as to fit closely against its circumference.

The mould-bearing cylinder B consists of a cylindrical frame or shell,which I prefer to construct with an inner polygonal section, asillustrated fig. 2, having faces equal in number to the seiies of mouldsto be used in the machine. This cylinder is ordinarily made a littlemore than three times as long as the bricks to be made therein, and isclosed at each end by head-plates D D, having central shafts E Eprojecting outwardly therefrom. Across its circumference longitudinalparallel grooves, having a dovetail section, are cut slightly larger inwidth than. the moulds to be used with the machine. The bottom of eachgroove is plane, and is made parallel to'a corresponding planesurfacoupon the inner face of the cylinder The moulds are formed in open orbottomless metallic frames F F, fig. 3, equal in length to thecylinder.and divided by cross-partitions a into divisions, each equal to the sizeof the bricks to be manufactured.

The sides of the frame are wider at the base than at the top, so as tofit into the dove tailed grooves in the cylinder, dutthe interior of themoulds is perfectly rectangular. I prefer to place eight of these mould-The longi- B, and of the driving-shaft.

cases 2 frames F about a cylinder, as illustrated in the drawings.Within each division of the mould-frames are placed platens or followers5, figs. 2 and 3, fitting and moving accurately therein, and which areprovided respectively with a central armor rod, c, fig. 2, projectingtherefrom, through a suitable aperture, into the interior of thecylinder. These arms 0 terminate with small friction-wheelsor rollers e,and each is of such a length as that when forced outwardly, so far asthe roller will permit, the attached platen or follower b shall be evenwith the outer edges of the mould.

The journal-shafts E E of the cylinder, at either end, are bored outcentrally to receive a solid rod or shaft, H, which passes entirelythrough the cylinder, and extends out also through and beyond its saidjournals, as illustrated in fig. 3. It is held and firmly fixed by meansof a set-screw, d, fig. 3, in an embracing-collar, formed in a plate, J,at one end thereof, which is secured vertically against the frame of themachine, by means of a screw,f, passing into the same through a curvedslot cut in the plate, (see red lines, fig. 1.) This curved slot permitsa vertical adjustment of the shaft H, and with it, of the cylinder B.Upon the central fixed rod or shaft H; cams K are secured within thecylinder, of such form and in such manner as that so soon as the rods 0of the followers 6, in the moulds, have reached, in the revolution ofthe cylinder a horizontal plane, their frictionuollers e shall strikeagainst the surface of said cams, and be gradually forced out therebyuntil the moulds have attained a vertical position, but be thereafterimmediately released therefrom.

Compressihg plungers or plates G, equal in number to the divisions ofthe mould-frame and the plane faces, and each equal in size to theopenings in the moulds, are securedupon a sliding-bar, L, moving inhorizontal ways It, secured in the framework in front of the machine.These ways are so located as that the plungers G shall slide freely in ahorizontal plane, passing through the axis of the cylinder, and mayenter the moulds when they have attained this horizontal plane.

On the opposite side of the cylinder, and in corresponding ways 1: h, isalso placed a sliding-bar, or, as I find it more convenient, asliding-box or vat, M, which is provided-with readjusting pins orpistons 51, fig. 2, to enter each division of the mould-frames, and pushback the followers 5 thereln, after they have been forced out by theaction of the cams K, in the revolution of the cylinder. These pistonsare covered or encircled between the vat M and their front face, withsome suitable packing material, to be kept constantly moist by water orother lubricating liquid from the vat, for the purpose of dampening andlubricating the sides of the moulds before they receive the dry clay.Small apertures are provided in the vat for the flow of the liquid uponthe packing, and the pistons may be pierced to facilitate this end,their faces, however, being kept solid to prevent a dampening of thefollowers forming the bottoms of the moulds.

The driving-shaftN of the machine may be placed in the framework infront of the cylinder in the plane of its axis, as illustrated in thedrawings. Upon this main shaft N are placed eccentrics o o, centrallybetween its bearings, which impart, by means of suitable links P P, areciprocating sliding movement to the compressing plungors G. Aneccentric, V, is also placed upon one end of the shaft. N, tocommunicate, by means ofa connectinguod, Q, and crank q, a. rockingmotion to a rocking-shaft, 2:, upon the framework in the rear of thecylinder, and which is connected by means of the cranks R It to thesliding-bar or vat. M, so as to impart thereto a reciprocating slidingmovement in its ways it.

Upon the outer end of the journal-shaft E is keyed a ratchet-wheel, W,and upon the outer end of the fixed cam-shaft H, projecting centrallythrough the bearing-shaft E, is so ung loosely an arm, S, carrying aweighted pawl, T, pivoted loosely to its inner side, so as to bear upagainst the notches formed in the circumference of the driving-wheel W,as illustrated in fig. 1. A swinging movement is imparted to the arm Sby means of a pitman, U, pivoted both to its lower end and eccentricallytothe face of a crank-wheel, Y, upon the end of the driving-shaft N, asclearly illustrated in fig. 1 of the drawings.

The number of batches upon the ratchet driving-wheel W of the cylindercorresponds to the number of mould-frames in the cylinder, and the sizeof the wheel is so proportioned as that in a cylinder carrying eightmould frames as illustrated, the cylinder shall turn one-eighth of arevolution at each forward moveinent of thc weighted pawl T, and remainstationary while said pawl is drawn back to engage the next tooth. I Theeccentrics o o and V, imparting motion to the compressing plungers G andto the readjusting pistons g, are also so arranged upon the drivingshaft N as that the compressing plungers will be brought to bear againstthe clay in the moulds on one side of the cylinder, and the readjustingpistons will enter and leave the empty moulds on the other during theinterval in which the pawl Tis being drawn back, and the cylinderconsequently is at rest.

Small pinsz'z', equal in number to the mould-frames of the cylinder andto the ratchet notches in its driving-wheel W, project from either headthereof at equal intervals, as illustrated in fig. 2, and red lines,-fig. 1, and engage with the longer curved arms of catch-levers w w,secured to a rocking-shaft,j, in the rear and below the cylinder. Thisshaft serves as the axis for these levers w w, and to their lower endsare pivoted dogs or pawls k k, which engage with the teeth ofratchct-bsrs ll, placed on either side of cars running on a suitabletrack immediately under the cylinder and between the framework of themachine. The shaftjis provided at one end with unweighted arm, or, figs.1 and 2, acting to keep the curved upper arms of the levers raw againstthe pins 2' i. The intervals between the teeth of these ratchet-bars llare each slightly greater than the width of the bricks, so thata forwardmovement of the car, a distance equal to the width of a brick, isobtained at each movement of the leversw w.

A transverse bar, n, is secured across the frame, immediately beneaththe cylinder B, at a point removed from the vertical plane drawn throughits axis, and'in the rear thereof, a distance slightly greater thanonehalf of the width of a brick. The cars are connected by'meuns ofsimple hooks or catches o a, pivoted to the sides of each, so as toproject in front thereof, and engage pins 12 in the sides of the rearends of the our next before it. These catches engage with the pins p,automatically by their own weight. Inclined bars 1- 1-, figs.

l and Lure placed on the framework on each side, so that pins 9 a,projecting from the catches, will rest thereon, and as the car movesforward be gradually lifted thereby. The cars are provided withremovable frames, upon which the bricks are delivered from the cylinder,and which may be removed at one operation wholly from the car, with theentire load of bricks placed thereon.

In operation the mould-bearing cylinder B receives an intermittentmotion from the revolution of the driving-shaft N, by the reciprocatingaction of the pitman U, carrying the weighted pawl T upon the swingingarm S. Each movement of the pawl T turns the cylinder one-eighth of arevolution. The adjustment of the driving-wheel W of the cylinder, withits actuating pawl '1, is so made as that during the intervals in whichthe cylinder remains stationary one series of moulds shall beimmediately under the discharging aperture of the pug-mill (1; anotherin a horizontal plane in register with the compressing plungers G;another immcdiately over the car, and another in register with thereadjusting piston g, whilst there remains series intcrmc-. diatcbetween each of these, all as fully illustrated in fig. 2 of thedrawings. v

Whilst the cylinder B is thus momentarily stationary, the upper seriesof moulds becomes filled with clay. The next two movements of thecylinder will then bring these moulds thus charged in register with thecompressing plungers G, moving horizontally, and during the interval ofrest at this point these plungers, by the continuous revolution of thedriving-shaft, are brought to bear powerfully against the clay in themoulds, compressing the same very firmly therein. By the two followingmovements of the cylinder the inner roller bearing ends of the arms C,of the platens or followers 6,-which until now have formed the bottom-ofthe moulds, arc-brought to bear against the cams K, on the central fixedshaft H, within the cylinder, so that in these movements the contents ofthe moulds are gradually forced out therefrom by these followers Zr, andare swept off from their face upon the car immediately below by thecontact of the transverse bar 11, when the cylinder again moves. So soonas the moulds have thus been emptied, and have passed the vertical planeof the axis of the cylinder, the arms 0, of the platens b, aredisengaged from the cams K, and upon reaching a horizontal plane areforced in again and readjusted by the movement of the res-adjustingpistons. As the packing around these pistons g is kept moistened,theylubricate the sides of the moulds when they pass into the same, thebottom being kept dry by the face of the piston.

Thus whilst the cylinder is at rest, one series of moulds is charged,another compressed, and the followers of still another re-adjus'tedsimultaneously, and at each movement of the cylinder, bricks powerfullycompressed in the loaded moulds are forced out and delivered on the carbelow. In the mean time, by the action of the levers wengaging the pinsupon the cylinder-heads D D, the dogs is k are made, at. each movementof the cylinder, and immediately after each delivery of brickstherefrom, to pass forward the cars a distance just sufficient to allowthe next series of bricks to fall thereon in the rear of thosepreviously delivered, whilst eachcar, when loaded, is automaticallydisengaged from that in the rear thereof, by the-lifting of the catchesupon the inclined ways 1', and left free to start off by its own gravitydown an incline from the machine leading to the kilns, where they may hequickly unloaded by simply lifting 0d the frame thereon containing thebricks.

If this track be made circular, and inclined to a point near to the rearof the machine so as that the cars when unloaded on the course might runagainst a connected train of cars reaching from the machine to thatpoint, they would, each in succession coupling themselves by. theself-action of thecatches to the last car in the train, be placed inreadiness to be again drawn under the cylinder of the machine, and thusthe entire movement'of the cars themselves to and from the machine wouldbecome automatic, needing no attention aside from its own simpleoperation in forming the bricks.

Havingthus fully described my improved brick machine, I claim therein asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination ofmovable platens or followers b, in a mould-bearing cylinder,- B,revolving about a fixed central shaft, H, with one or more fixed cams isupon said shaft, allsubstantially in the manner and for the purposeherein set forth. I i

2. The combination of compressing plates or plungers G with a revolvingmould-bearing cylinder, B, when said compressing plnngers have thewithin-described reciprocating movements, and operate in unison with anintermittentmovement of said cylinder, substantially as and for thepurposes herein set forth.

3.,Thc combination of pistons g, or'their equivalent, with a revolvingmould-bearing cylinder, B, and radial cam-actuated followers 12 in themoulds thereof, when said pistons 9 have substantially thewithindeseribed reciprocating'movements for the purpose hereinspecified.

4. The combination of n ratchet-wheel, W, or. other equivalent device,with the hollow shaft of a mouldbcaring cylinder, encircling a fixedcentral shaft, H, all substantially in the manner and for the purposeheroin set .forth. I i

5. The combination of a rocking-shaft, j, and pawl-levers w w, with pinsor catches 2' z, on the revolving mould-bearing cylinder of a brickmachine, and with ratchet-bars I l, on a receiving car, running beneathsaid cylinder, for the purpose of imparting an intermittent forwardmovement to the car, in unison. with the intermittent revolution of thecylinder, all substantially'in the manner and for the purpose herein setforth.

6. The combination of inclined bars r with the frame of my improvedbrick machine and with the coupling- 1 books or catches 0 of the cars,running through the same, for the purpose of automatically disconnectingthe curs-in their forward movement, substantially as herein set forth.

7. The combination of a stationary transverse swcep-bar,.'n, with arevolving mould-bearing cylinder, 13, and movable followers-b thcrein,to effect a detachment of the moulded material from the face of saidfollowers after its discharge from the mould,- substantially in themanner herein specified.

8. The combination of detachable mould-frames F with a grooved orsuitably-framed revolving mouldbcaring cylinder, B, substantially in themanner and for the purpose herein set forth.

9. The combination of :iny suitable packing material with theremljusting pins or pistons of a rotary cylinder brick machine, for thepurpose of lubricating or dampening the sides of the moulds therein,substantially as herein set forth. 7

10. The combination of an adjusting-plate; J, with the end of a fixcqcentral cam-shaft, H, passing centrally through the mould-bearingcylinder-B of airevolving cylinder brick machine, substantially in themanner and for the purposc'hercinset forth i As witness my signaturehereto this fourthdzty of April, A. D. 1867.

PETER E. BLAND.

Witnessesz DAVID A. Bum, H. H. YOUNG.

